Current-tap.



H. L. DE-ZENG.

CURRENT TAP.

APPLICATION FILED MA! 24, 1910.

1,010,125. Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

HENRY L. DE ZENG, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CURRENT-TAP.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

Application filed May 24, 1910. Serial No. 563,133.

for closing and holding closed a circuit whereby the tap and source of current supply fixture may be in difierent relative positions with respect to each other without breaking the electrical contact.

It further consists of an extensible con.

tact pole which will engage with a stationary contact pole in different positions of the tap with respect to the fixture, with which it is engaged.

It further consists of a spring actuated contact pole.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 represents a sectional View of a contact tap showing the same in use with a controller which may be employed for con trolling current for lighting miniature electric lamps, showing a regulation lamp in position in the circuit. Fig. 2 represents a partial sectional, partial elevation showing the section on a different plane from that of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a sectional view of a portion of the device showing certain of the parts in different posi tion from that shown in Fig. '1. Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of the shell or casing employed. Fig. 5 represents an e1evation of the operating disk or button employed. Fig. 6 represents an elevation of a form of current tap which may be employed, different from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 7 represents a diagrammatic View show? ing the tap without the use of the controller.

I have found that in the use of controllers for lighting miniature electric lamps wherein the controlling means roject from one side of the device, that it otten happens that when the controller is screwed enou h into the receiving socket; to close the circuit, that the handle or operating means would be incouveniently situated or in such a posif tion as to be extremely di'l'licult-for the operator to reach not only to operate the same but to sce it toknow which is the proper way to turn it, and my invention is designed to overcon'le this objection or defect and to provide a current tap which. is so formed that the contacts will not be broken until a very considerable number of turns have been imparted to the controller in order to remove the same, the advantages of which are that the mmtroller can be freely rotated into a convenient position and the current will not be broken. l

Of course, I desire it understood that while I. have shown my tap as applied more especially to a controller, that the same is applicable in a number of different instances where it may be desirable to make contact and hold the same before the devices, which are to be joined together, are in their proper positions.

In the drawings I have shown a construction which I have found operates sucessfully in practice, but it will be noted that the arrangements of the parts may be varied, other instrumentalities may be employed, and changes may be made in the construction which will come within the scope of my invention and I do not therefore desire to be limited in every instance to the exact form as herein shown and described, but desire to make such changes as will come within the scope of my invention.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings :1 designates a socket which may be of any desired or usual construction and which may be carried by any suitable support, such as a chandelier, wall bracket or other support, and which is provided with a pole 2 and a threaded portion 3 serving as the other pole and for engagement with the threads on the tap.

In the present instance, as previously stated, I have shown in some of the figures as a part of a dontroller my current tap, which consists in the present instance of a shell 4, having a socket 5 at one end for the reception of a lamp or circuit closing lug, and I have here shown a lamp 6. '1th1n the shell l is suitably supported a frame 7 which carries a resistance coil 8 and a movable contact member 9 carried by the mit 10 mounted on the threaded shaft 11 whereby the rotation of the latter actuates the nut 10 in either direction for the lateral movement- 'of the contact member 9 upon the resistance coil 8 for the increase or decrease of current transmission to the miniature lamp as required. Mounted upon the threaded shaft ll is the operating button 12, which is exterior of the shell 4 and which is grasped by the operator to yn'operly control the current supply. Projecting from two sides of the shell 4 are two contact posts 13, to which the conductors (not shown) are connected, which lead to the miniature lamps. Carried by the nut 10 is an indicator 1st which projects through a suitable opening 15 in the shell t, said indicator showing the relative position of the contact member 9 upon the coil 8.

l6 designates the current tap which is suitably mounted upon the shell 4, said tap in the present instance-havinga threaded metal sleeve 17 carried by a plug 23 suitably connected with a conductor 18, forming one pole and a movable or extensible contact 19 suitably connected with a conductor 20 and forming the other pole.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7 I have shown the movable or extensible contact 19 in the form of a pin movably mounted in a sleeve "ll suitably supported by the tap 16, and bear ing upon the contact if) and the sleeve 21 is a spring 22 which normally holds the contact 19 in full extension, but which is compressed as the tap 16 is introduced into the socket 3, and as the movable contact 19 touches the central pole, terminal 2 of the socket 3, whereby the circuit will be closed and remain closed while permitting wide range of adjustment of the tap with respect to the current supply fixture.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the movable or extensible contact 19 in the form of a spring operating in the same manner.

It will be understood that the current flow through the controller may be made in any suitable manner as this current tap will. be applicable to any form of current transmission from a source of current supply through a socket.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

In an adjustable current tap, a plug, a stationary pole carried thereby, a sleeve earricd by said plug and formed of two menr bers in suitable engagement with each other, and each having an enlarged head, whereby the members are held in fixed position, one of said members having an opening therethrough, and a pin movably supported by said sleeve and having a portion thereof seated at all times in said opening and freely movable therein in all positions of said pin.

HENRY L. DE ZENG.

Witnesses 1 i'lARRY It. GRACE, Jr., MARY AIIGINTY. 

